FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Object Lessons series?
Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things. You can learn more here and here.
Why Gin?
Gin is, fundamentally, the combination of juniper and any neutral spirit, but depending
upon perspective, gin is grandfathers, Christmas, or sweaty summer nights. Rotten pine needles or raging headaches. Bathtub hooch, speakeasies, British Gin Acts, or Prohibition. Hogarth prints, vintage magazine advertisements, or James Bond. Gin is Snoop Dogg, juniper berries, malaria treatments, 17th-century Dutch history, or poured over ice with lime. It is a shortened form of genever (although not really), and with a linguist’s eye: cotton seed separating machine, Biblical snare, and a quaint four-person card game.
For Shonna, gin is the first alcohol she tasted.
Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things. You can learn more here and here.
Why Gin?
Gin is, fundamentally, the combination of juniper and any neutral spirit, but depending
upon perspective, gin is grandfathers, Christmas, or sweaty summer nights. Rotten pine needles or raging headaches. Bathtub hooch, speakeasies, British Gin Acts, or Prohibition. Hogarth prints, vintage magazine advertisements, or James Bond. Gin is Snoop Dogg, juniper berries, malaria treatments, 17th-century Dutch history, or poured over ice with lime. It is a shortened form of genever (although not really), and with a linguist’s eye: cotton seed separating machine, Biblical snare, and a quaint four-person card game.
For Shonna, gin is the first alcohol she tasted.
What is The Afterlife of Kenzaburo Tsuruda?
Before she died, Shonna's friend Beth wrote a beautiful, intricate novel about a Japanese scientist who emerges after his death into an afterlife he never believed in. Please read more about the novel here. As part of her cancer care team and writing group, Shonna promised that Beth's book would find a publisher. With the help of Beth's husband and a network of Beth's writer friends, The Afterlife of Kenzaburo Tsuruda was published in 2018. You can learn more about Beth here and more about the process here.
Did Shonna write this book?
No. Beth wrote this book. Shonna (along with many others) worked with Beth while she was alive to edit and refine Beth's work-in-progress. When Beth died, Shonna helped lead the publishing process. She worked with Beth's husband to locate a literary agent, navigate the best publishing options, prepare the manuscript, and create a marketing strategy.
Before she died, Shonna's friend Beth wrote a beautiful, intricate novel about a Japanese scientist who emerges after his death into an afterlife he never believed in. Please read more about the novel here. As part of her cancer care team and writing group, Shonna promised that Beth's book would find a publisher. With the help of Beth's husband and a network of Beth's writer friends, The Afterlife of Kenzaburo Tsuruda was published in 2018. You can learn more about Beth here and more about the process here.
Did Shonna write this book?
No. Beth wrote this book. Shonna (along with many others) worked with Beth while she was alive to edit and refine Beth's work-in-progress. When Beth died, Shonna helped lead the publishing process. She worked with Beth's husband to locate a literary agent, navigate the best publishing options, prepare the manuscript, and create a marketing strategy.
Wow. Did Shonna's husband agree to this book?
Absolutely. Child sex abuse is a tough topic, for sure, but he read and approved every draft from the initial idea to the final version. The book was empowering for Travis because the American Boychoir School, before it closed in 2017, had prioritized preserving itself as an institution over caring for those boys abused while in its care. This book gave him a voice.
Where can I find resources for men who experienced child sex abuse?
1in6.org and Malesurvivor.org both offer many resources. Please visit them for more information.
Is Shonna married to musician Travis James Humphrey?
Yes. Please feel free to learn more about Trav at www.travisjameshumphrey.com. His 2014 album, The Roadhouse Gospel Hour was a direct result of the road trip chronicled in in this book.
Biscuits are mentioned a lot in this book. Does Shonna have a favorite biscuit location?
There are too many to list, but Nashville's Loveless Café and Charleston's Early Bird Diner rank near the top. Locally, The Bayou Kitchen is pretty delicious.
Absolutely. Child sex abuse is a tough topic, for sure, but he read and approved every draft from the initial idea to the final version. The book was empowering for Travis because the American Boychoir School, before it closed in 2017, had prioritized preserving itself as an institution over caring for those boys abused while in its care. This book gave him a voice.
Where can I find resources for men who experienced child sex abuse?
1in6.org and Malesurvivor.org both offer many resources. Please visit them for more information.
Is Shonna married to musician Travis James Humphrey?
Yes. Please feel free to learn more about Trav at www.travisjameshumphrey.com. His 2014 album, The Roadhouse Gospel Hour was a direct result of the road trip chronicled in in this book.
Biscuits are mentioned a lot in this book. Does Shonna have a favorite biscuit location?
There are too many to list, but Nashville's Loveless Café and Charleston's Early Bird Diner rank near the top. Locally, The Bayou Kitchen is pretty delicious.
Is Fort Angus a real place?
No. Fort Angus is a composite of many towns in (the very real) Aroostook County. Fort Kent, Houlton, Caribou, Presque Isle, Monticello, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Littleton, and Hodgdon residents will all recognize familiar aspects of the physical descriptions and history.
Where did she get the name Fort Angus?
Shonna's first cat. His name was Angus.
There are so many characters in this novel! Why?
Shonna wants readers to immerse in the experience of a small, rural community where characters are often more prevalent than plots.
No. Fort Angus is a composite of many towns in (the very real) Aroostook County. Fort Kent, Houlton, Caribou, Presque Isle, Monticello, Fort Fairfield, Limestone, Littleton, and Hodgdon residents will all recognize familiar aspects of the physical descriptions and history.
Where did she get the name Fort Angus?
Shonna's first cat. His name was Angus.
There are so many characters in this novel! Why?
Shonna wants readers to immerse in the experience of a small, rural community where characters are often more prevalent than plots.
Can I get free books?
No. Shonna buys all her books, too. Please don't ask her for a free book.
I have a book idea. Can I share it with Shonna?
Sure, but she's not a literary agent or a publisher, and she can't publish your work. It's better to find local resources like Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. They are equipped to answer questions and provide guidance.
Who is her literary agent?
Shonna is represented by Stephany Evans at Ayesha Pande Literary
Will Shonna speak at my conference or event?
Maybe! Please contact her with details.
Will Shonna visit my classroom or book group?
Maybe! Please contact her with details.
No. Shonna buys all her books, too. Please don't ask her for a free book.
I have a book idea. Can I share it with Shonna?
Sure, but she's not a literary agent or a publisher, and she can't publish your work. It's better to find local resources like Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance. They are equipped to answer questions and provide guidance.
Who is her literary agent?
Shonna is represented by Stephany Evans at Ayesha Pande Literary
Will Shonna speak at my conference or event?
Maybe! Please contact her with details.
Will Shonna visit my classroom or book group?
Maybe! Please contact her with details.
